How to Create a Learning Sheet in Flat.io

(Including Transposition & Instrument Parts)

This workflow creates one unison learning sheet that can be automatically transposed and exported for every instrument — without rewriting anything.

The key is setting it up correctly at the very beginning.

Create a New Score With All Instruments

1. In Flat.io, go to My Library.

2. Click New score.

3. Choose Blank score.

4. When prompted, add all the instruments you will need:

   • Flute

   • Clarinet

   • Alto Sax

   • Trumpet

   • Trombone

   • Etc.

5. Confirm the score creation.

You now have a full score with all transposing instruments included.

This is critical — Flat handles transposition automatically by instrument.

Set the Musical Parameters Once

Before entering content:

1. Click the score title (upper left).

2. Confirm:

   • Key signature (concert key)

   • Time signature

   • Tempo

3. Open Layout and settings and:

   • Increase staff size

   • Reduce measures per system

   • Increase spacing between systems

   • Set page size (Letter or 11×17)

Set this now so the learning sheet stays readable as content is added.

Enter the Learning Sheet Content in Unison

You will now build the learning sheet once, and Flat will handle transposition.

Important rule:

• Enter everything in concert pitch 

I usually do the complete flute part and then copy and paste it into the other instrument parts. Flat will automatically transpose it for us, but we might have to adujst the octave range.

Below is a simple,cheat sheet for creating your own content, regardless of piece.

Flat.io Quick Cheat Sheet

(Entering notes, copying, pasting, and fixing octave range)

This cheat sheet covers the mechanics only.
You are entering your own notes and rhythms based on the piece you are teaching.

Entering Notes & Durations

Choose a Note Value

• Select the note duration from the note toolbar:

  • Whole

  • Half

  • Quarter

  • Eighth

  • Sixteenth

Whatever is selected stays active until you change it.

Enter Notes

• Click directly on the staff where you want the note
  OR

• Click once, then use:

  • Up / Down arrows → move pitch

  • A–G keys → enter pitch by letter name

Rests

• Select a rest value from the toolbar

• Click in the measure to place it

Ties & Slurs

• Select the first note

• Click Tie or Slur in the toolbar

• Click the destination note

Copy & Paste Notes (Core Skill)

Copy a Single Measure or Phrase

1. Click and drag to highlight the notes

2. Press:

   • Ctrl + C (Windows / Chromebook)

   • Cmd + C (Mac)

3. Click where you want it to go

4. Press:

   • Ctrl + V

   • Cmd + V

Copy Between Instrument Parts

1. Switch to the source instrument part

2. Highlight the notes (Ctrl A for the whole line, or highlight measures individually)

3. Copy (Ctrl/Cmd + C)

4. Switch to the destination instrument part

5. Paste (Ctrl/Cmd + V)

Flat automatically handles transposition if the instruments are set correctly. - although you may have to adjust octave

Adjusting Octave / Register 

Move Notes Up or Down an Octave

1. Select the note(s)

2. Use:

   • Ctrl + ↑ / ↓ (Windows)

   • Cmd + ↑ / ↓ (Mac)

This is the fastest way to fix range issues.

Nudge Pitch One Step at a Time

• Select the note(s)

• Press:

  • ↑ / ↓ arrows to move by step

Check Range Quickly

If something looks too high or too low:

• Select the passage

• Move it down an octave first

• Then adjust individual notes as needed

Working in Unison Across Parts

Enter Once, Use Everywhere

• Enter the music on one staff

• Copy and paste it into the other instrument parts

• Adjust octaves as needed

This is faster than retyping.

Deleting Mistakes

• Select the note(s)

• Press Delete or Backspace

Undo Is Your Friend

• Ctrl/Cmd + Z = undo

• Use it liberally